Irish music festival site to welcome refugees

Image source, PA

At a Glance

Work will begin later today to convert the site of Ireland's largest music festival, Electric Picnic, into a tent accommodation area for refugees

The Irish government says it will host up to 750 people for the duration of a six-week contract signed with the site owners

Over 90,000 refugees, the vast majority from Ukraine, have been hosted in Ireland since early 2021

The options for accommodation is limited, government says tents will be main source of accommodation for people arriving from Ukraine

4 September 2023

As thousands of music lovers leave the Electric Picnic festival in County Laois, work is due to begin to convert the site into tent accommodation for refugees.

The Irish government has signed a contract for use of the Stradbally site, starting Tuesday.

The site will host 750 people over the duration of the six-week contract, said the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

The department plans to operate the site at full capacity by Thursday.